By Peaco Todd
“How can you tell when a
politician is lying? When his (or her) lips move.” That’s a tired old chestnut,
but the truth is, whether assessing a candidate or a loved one you fear is
cheating, human beings are pretty lousy at detecting deception.
Politicians can be especially
tricky to catch since most of them have had so much practice. Between spin
doctors, speech writers, media consultants, pr managers, sycophants and their
own often monumental egos, those who would dine at the public trough are
trained to stay on message and exude confidence, sincerity and trustworthiness.
Perhaps more importantly, they
develop a keen sense of what we, the citizenry, want to hear: we warm to
positive messages and flinch from painful truths. And because so many of us are
woefully ignorant about the details of the issues, we, like sheep, are easily
led.
The best defense against a lie
is knowledge. If your paramour insists that he was watching the Sunday game
with his buds but you happened to catch a glimpse of him in the lobby of the
boutique hotel where you’d had brunch, well, there you go, both metaphorically
and probably literally. But apart from firsthand knowledge (or other reliable
evidence) are there verbal and nonverbal clues that can give a liar away?
As the debates, both
presidential and congressional, loom, being able to employ your own personal
bullshit detector could be most helpful. After all, we can’t rely on the
occurrence of those covetable “misspeaks” or “off-the-cuff remarks” that reveal
precisely what a politician is thinking — and trying to conceal.
Lying is harder than telling
the truth. Lying is stressful. To be an effective liar requires that one
rehearse and memorize detail rather than rely on memory.
Because of the anxiety
associated with lying and the perceived sense of the importance of the lie, the
liar often will give him- or herself away. This is especially true of
politicians since their lives can be exhaustingly busy and lies require energy
and constant attention.
Experts tend to agree that none
of the standard indicators is completely fool – or politician – proof. Some
people are simply really good at lying. Many signs, such as the fleeting facial
tics known as “micro-expressions,” are extremely difficult for a lay person to
distinguish. When applying the following clues to uncover lies and liars, it’s
good policy to temper hubris with modesty: understand that you might get it
wrong. But careful use of them might help you get it right.
1. Notice eye contact
It’s a myth that liars won’t or
can’t make eye contact. However, look for unnatural eye contact: either the
person is unable to maintain contact or s/he fixes you (or the camera) with a
strained and aggressive stare.
2. Read body language
Pay attention to such
indicators as crossed arms or legs, slouching or tilting the head away: these
can indicate the discomfort that accompanies lying.
3. Follow the eyes
Many researchers posit that
when the eyes look up and to the right (his or her right, not yours) this
suggests that the part of the brain linked to the imagination is being
triggered. Conversely, the eyes looking down and to the left might indicate the
part of the brain linked to memory.
4. Look at the hands
Often liars’ hands will speak
eloquently of deception. Watch for clenched fists, covering the mouth or part
of the face, rubbing the eyes, scratching on or behind the ear.
5. Pay attention to detail
The person who offers too much
detail, especially unasked, might be lying. Because the narrative of the lie is
fabricated, the liar can often be tripped up by inconsistencies in the story,
especially if the same questions are repeated after some time has passed.
Politicians’ lips always move
and it’s not always lies that emanate. To truly become a lie detector, you need
to arm yourself with information and intuition. But if you do notice someone’s
pants on fire.
To read more about the signs of
deception, check out these websites:
Editor’s Note: This post is a Care2 favorite. It was originally
published on September 21, 2012. Enjoy!
Source: http://www.care2.com
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